The Scoop

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

During his first 30 pitches of every outing this season, Jeremy Bonderman has allowed 34 runs over 33 innings, good for a 9.27 ERA. After he’s reached 30 pitches, he’s allowed just 28 runs over 97 innings, good for a 2.59 ERA.

Jose Contreras has had one of the most brutal seasons in major league baseball this year. Over his last nine starts, he’s allowed at least five earned runs in eight of them, with a total of 26 during his last three outings. He has a 13.50 ERA since the All-Star break. Looks like all of that overworking from back in his Cuba days is finally starting to catch up to him.

The Mets did an excellent job getting Luis Castillo from the Twins. He’s no longer fantasy relevant, but his solid OBP and excellent defense is a big upgrade for the team. And the best part of the deal is the most underreported part, as Castillo figures to bring back a couple of high round draft picks when he inevitably leaves for free agency during winter, and those will be far more valuable than the “prospects” who went to Minnesota in return.

For all of my criticism, I feel obliged to give credit when it’s due: Brian Sabean pulled off one of the best deadline deals this year. And no, I don’t know something about Rajai Davis the rest of the world doesn’t. Sure, it would have been better had Sabean ditched Morris when he had a solid ERA six weeks ago, but getting someone to take on that albatross of a contract is a huge win. Morris becomes the highest paid player in Pirates’ franchise history – counting for roughly 20 percent of the team’s payroll! And for such a “clubhouse guy,” he sure threw his old team under the bus on his way out. Hey Morris, if I wanted to hear an asshole, I’d fart.

Yes, pick up Justin Upton immediately. Frequently compared to Ken Griffey Jr., expectations should be tempered considering the guy just graduated high school. Still, here’s what Junior did as a 19-year old: .264/.329/.420, 16 HR, 16 SB and an 83/44 K/BB in 455 at-bats. Upton also has Chase Field and likely full-time at-bats in his favor.

If you are in a deep NL-only league and desperate for pitching, Joel Pineiro isn’t a terrible gamble. His best stuff is long gone, but worst pitchers have become useful when moved from the AL to the NL. Dave Duncan’s usual luster hasn’t rubbed off too much this season, but his track record still suggests he can transform these veterans into decent back-end guys.

Here’s to Barry Bonds soon breaking the most hallowed record in sports: God Bless him.

Someone needs to tell the Yankees winning by 10 runs or 1 run makes no difference. There’s a chance they finish the year outscoring their opponents more so than any other team yet out of the postseason. Still, I’ll stand by my earlier prediction that they’ll sneak in. But with the Angels’ rotation, the Tigers’ bats, and the Red Sox’ newly formed back-end of the pen, the AL is as deep and as good as it’s been in years.

Top-5 Jim Carrey Movies

1. Dumb & Dumber
2. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. The Cable Guy
5. Me, Myself & Irene

Top-5 Spike Lee Joints

1. 25th Hour
2. Inside Man
3. When the Levees Broke
4. Malcolm X
5. He Got Game